Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world, with more than 1.3 billion native speakers and hundreds of millions more people studying it as a second language. Learning Chinese can open many doors for you professionally, academically, and personally, as it allows you to communicate with an ancient and fascinating culture, as well as access an increasingly in-demand job market.

However, learning Chinese is also a great challenge, especially for Spanish speakers, as it is a very different language from Spanish, both in its pronunciation, grammar and writing. Therefore, it is essential to have a good Chinese English dictionary that will help you solve your doubts, expand your vocabulary and improve your understanding.

In this article, we are going to give you 10 reasons to use a Chinese Spanish dictionary in your learning of Mandarin, and we are going to recommend some of the best ones you can find on the market. Read on and discover everything a Chinese English dictionary can do for you!

1. A Chinese English dictionary helps you understand the meaning of words

The first and most obvious reason to use a Chinese English dictionary is that it allows you to know the meaning of words that you don't understand or that you want to learn. This is especially useful when you are faced with texts written or spoken in Chinese, whether in class, on the internet, in books, in movies, or in any other medium.

A good Chinese English dictionary will not only give you the English translation of the word you are looking for, but will also offer you additional information, such as its grammatical category, pronunciation, synonyms, antonyms, frequent uses, related expressions, and examples of use. This way, you will be able to understand the context and nuance of each word, and avoid possible confusion or misunderstandings.

2. A Chinese-English dictionary helps you improve your pronunciation

The pronunciation of Chinese is one of the most difficult aspects for Spanish speakers to master, as it is based on a system of tones that modifies the meaning of words according to the intonation given to them. In addition, Chinese has many sounds that do not exist in Spanish, and that require good practice and correction.

A Chinese-English dictionary can help you improve your pronunciation in several ways. On the one hand, it shows you the phonetic transcription of each word in the pinyin system, which is the most used to represent Chinese sounds with the Latin alphabet. This way, you can see how each syllable is written and pronounced, and what tone each one has.

On the other hand, some Chinese-English dictionaries also include the option to listen to the audio of each word, recorded by native speakers or by speech synthesis programs. This way, you can imitate the correct pronunciation and practice your listening and speaking skills.

3. A Chinese English dictionary helps you learn Chinese characters

Chinese is written with characters, which are graphic signs that represent concepts or sounds. Each character has a meaning, a pronunciation and a way of writing itself. There are thousands of Chinese characters, and it is estimated that to read a newspaper or a book you need to know at least 2,000.

Learning Chinese characters is a task that requires a lot of memory, attention, and perseverance, but it also has its rewards, as it allows you to access a unique and beautiful script, and a rich and deep culture. A Chinese English dictionary can help you learn Chinese characters in a variety of ways. For example:

• It shows you the simplified form and the traditional form of each character, which are the two variants currently used in the Chinese world. The simplified form is used in mainland China, Singapore, and Malaysia, and the traditional form is used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.
• It shows you the order and direction of the strokes of each character, which are the rules that must be followed to write them correctly. Some Chinese-English dictionaries also allow you to see the animation of how each character is written, making it easier for you to memorize and reproduce them.
• It shows you the components or radicals of each character, which are the elements that make it up and that give it meaning or sound. Knowing the components of characters helps you recognize them, classify them, and deduce their meaning or pronunciation.
• It shows you the variants or alternate forms of each character, which are used in different eras, regions, or writing styles. This way, you will be able to appreciate the evolution and diversity of Chinese writing, and avoid possible confusion or mistakes.

4. A Chinese English dictionary helps you expand your vocabulary

Another reason to use a Chinese English dictionary is that it helps you expand your vocabulary, which is one of the fundamental pillars to communicate in any language. The more words you know, the easier it will be for you to express your ideas, opinions, feelings, and desires, as well as to understand those of others.

A Chinese English dictionary can help you expand your vocabulary in several ways. For example:

• It shows you the words related to the word you're looking for, such as their synonyms, antonyms, derivatives, compounds, lexical families, and semantic fields. Thus, you will be able to enrich your lexicon and learn new ways of saying the same or the opposite, or words that have to do with the same topic or concept.
• It shows you the expressions, sayings, proverbs, idioms, and idioms that contain the word you're looking for, or that are used in similar situations. This way, you can learn the colloquial and cultural use of the language, and sound more natural and authentic when speaking or writing in Chinese.
• It shows you the examples of use of the word you are looking for, both in Chinese and in Spanish, which show you how the word is used in real and concrete contexts. This way, you will be able to see how sentences are constructed, how words are combined, how grammar rules are applied, and how they adapt to the tone and register of each situation.

5. A Chinese-English dictionary helps you improve your grammar

Grammar is the set of rules and principles that govern the functioning of a language, and that determine how words, phrases, and texts are formed and related. The grammar of Chinese is very different from that of Spanish, and has some aspects that can be difficult or confusing for Spanish speakers, such as the absence of gender, number, tense and verb mood, the presence of grammatical particles, the formation of questions and negations, or the order of the elements of the sentence.

A Chinese English dictionary can help you improve your grammar in several ways. For example:

• It shows you the grammatical category of each word, which tells you what function the word has in the sentence, and how it can be modified or combined with other words. For example, if it is a noun, a verb, an adjective, an adverb, a preposition, a conjunction, etc.
• It shows you the grammatical rules that apply to each word, which explain how the word is formed and used according to the context and meaning you want to express. For example, if it is a verb, it shows you how it is conjugated, how the aspect is formed, how the voice is indicated, how causality is expressed, the modality, the negation, the interrogation, etc.
• It shows you the exceptions or irregularities that affect each word, warning you of cases where the word does not follow the general rule, or has a special use or meaning. For example, if it's a noun, it shows you if it has a classifier or an irregular plural, or if it's part of a specific noun construct.

How did you get there? Let's look at 5 more reasons.

6. A Chinese-English dictionary helps you consult your doubts

Another reason to use a Chinese English dictionary is that it helps you consult your doubts, which are inevitable when learning a new and complex language like Chinese. Surely many times you have come across words, phrases or structures that you do not understand, that you do not know how to use, or that generate confusion or uncertainty.

A Chinese-English dictionary can help you consult your doubts in several ways. For example:

• It allows you to search for words by their written form, either in characters, in pinyin or in Spanish. This way, you can find the word you're looking for, regardless of how you saw or heard it, or how you remember it.
• It allows you to search for words by their meaning, using the reverse or synonym search function. This way, you can find the word you want to use, if you know what you want to say, but you don't know how to say it in Chinese.
• It allows you to search for words by pronunciation, using the sound or tone search function. This way, you will be able to find the word you have heard, if you know how to pronounce it, but you do not know how to spell it or what it means in Chinese.
• It allows you to search for words by their grammatical category, using the filter or tag search function. Thus, you will be able to find the word you need, if you know what function it has to fulfill in the sentence, but you do not know what word to use or how it is formed in Chinese.

7. A Chinese-English dictionary helps you translate texts

Another reason to use a Chinese English dictionary is that it helps you translate texts, which is a very useful and frequent activity when learning a language. Translating texts allows you to practice your language skills, expand your knowledge of the language and culture, and access information and entertainment in Chinese.

A Chinese-English dictionary can help you translate texts in a variety of ways. For example:

• It offers you the option of translating entire texts or fragments of texts, entering the text in Chinese or English, and obtaining the equivalent text in the other language. This way, you can translate texts quickly and easily, without having to search word by word.
• It offers you the option to translate texts from images, scanning the text in Chinese or English, and getting the text translated into the other language. This way, you will be able to translate texts that you cannot copy or write, such as posters, labels, menus, etc.
• It offers you the option of translating texts from audios, recognizing the text in Chinese or English, and obtaining the translated text in the other language. This way, you can translate texts that you can't see or read, such as conversations, songs, podcasts, etc.

8. A Chinese-English dictionary helps you prepare for exams

Another reason to use a Chinese English dictionary is that it helps you prepare for exams, which are a way to assess and certify your level of Chinese. If you want to obtain an official Chinese qualification, such as HSK, HSKK, YCT or BCT, you will need to study and practice a lot, and a Chinese Spanish dictionary can be your best ally.

A Chinese-English dictionary can help you prepare for exams in a number of ways. For example:

• It shows you the level of difficulty of each word, depending on the exam you want to take. This way, you will be able to know which words you should learn and review, and which ones you can leave for later.
• It shows you the vocabulary lists for each exam, which are the words that are considered essential to pass each level. This way, you will be able to study and memorize the words that suit you best, and avoid those that will not work for you.
• It shows you the exercises and tests for each exam, which are the activities you will have to do on the day of the exam. This will allow you to practice and become familiar with the format and content of each exam, and improve your performance and confidence.

9. A Chinese-English dictionary helps you have fun

Another reason to use a Chinese English dictionary is that it helps you have fun, which is one of the keys to maintaining motivation and interest in learning a language. Learning Chinese doesn't have to be boring or tedious, but it can be fun and entertaining, if you use a Chinese Spanish dictionary that offers you playful and creative options.

A Chinese-English dictionary can help you have fun in a number of ways. For example:

• It offers you the option to play with words, using the games or challenges function. Thus, you will be able to test your knowledge of the language, and learn in an enjoyable and dynamic way, with games such as hangman, crossword, memory, pictionary, etc.
• It gives you the option to create with words, using the generation or editing function. Thus, you can express your imagination and talent, and create your own Chinese texts, with tools such as the poem generator, story generator, text editor, image editor, etc.
• It offers you the option to share with words, using the social networking or communities feature. This way, you will be able to interact with other people who are also learning Chinese, and share your experiences, your doubts, your advice, your texts, your images, etc.

10. A Chinese-English dictionary helps you learn about Chinese culture

The last reason to use a Chinese English dictionary is that it helps you get to know Chinese culture, which is one of the oldest, most diverse, and richest in the world. Learning Chinese not only means learning a language, but also learning a way of thinking, feeling and living, which is reflected in its history, art, philosophy, religion, gastronomy, society, customs, festivities, etc.

A Chinese-English dictionary can help you learn about Chinese culture in several ways. For example:

• It shows you the etymology of each word, revealing the origin and evolution of the word, and its relationship to Chinese culture and history. Thus, you will be able to understand the deep and symbolic meaning of each word, and appreciate the beauty and complexity of Chinese writing.
• It shows you the cultural information of each word, which provides you with facts and curiosities about the culture and society of China, related to the word you are looking for. Thus, you will be able to learn interesting and relevant aspects of Chinese culture, and avoid possible mistakes or misinterpretations.
• It shows you the cultural resources of each word, which link you to quality sources and materials about the culture and language of China, related to the word you are looking for. Thus, you will be able to expand your knowledge and enjoyment of Chinese culture, with resources such as books, movies, songs, podcasts, blogs, etc.

The 5 most used Chinese English dictionaries online

Learning Chinese can be challenging, but also an opportunity to discover an ancient culture and a fascinating language. To make studying easier, there are many Chinese-English dictionaries online that offer information about pronunciation, characters, phrases, and vocabulary. Here are some of the most popular and useful:

• Trainchinese: This dictionary allows you to create your own vocabulary lists, practice with didactic games, listen to the audio and see the phonetic transcription. It also has a version to download and use offline.
• PONS: This dictionary has more than 260,000 entries, with examples, regionalisms and specialized vocabulary. In addition, it has a virtual keyboard to type the characters and an audio function to listen to the pronunciation.
• Aulex: This dictionary is ideal for self-learners, as it has over 1400 entries with definitions, examples, and grammar notes. It can also be downloaded for offline consultation.
• 17 Minute Languages: This dictionary is very simple and quick to use, you just have to enter the word you want to translate and it will show you the result in simplified or traditional Chinese. It also has a vocabulary trainer and an online Chinese course.
• Google Translate: This translator has a dictionary function as well. It is well known and used by millions of people, as it allows words, phrases and web pages to be translated quickly and easily. It also has a voice function to speak and listen to the language, and a camera to translate printed texts. In recent years it has improved a lot when you use it to translate from English to Chinese and vice versa.

And you, did you know these dictionaries? Do you know of others who are good at learning Chinese? Leave us your comment and share your experience with us. We'd love to hear from you.

Conclusion

As you have seen, using a Chinese Spanish dictionary has many advantages and benefits for your learning of Mandarin. A Chinese English dictionary is an essential tool that helps you understand, pronounce, write, learn, consult, translate, prepare, have fun and get to know the Chinese language and culture.

But if you want to learn Chinese for real, you need more than just a dictionary. You need a school that offers you an effective method, qualified teachers, teaching materials and top-quality digital tools. That school is Hanyu Chinese School, the best online Chinese school for Spanish speakers.

At Hanyu Chinese School, you can learn Chinese at your own pace, from your home, with personalized classes adapted to your level and your goal. We have many resources to get you started, such as knowing basic Chinese words, among many other articles and resources.

Do you know our Youtube channel? Every week we upload original content so you can keep improving your Chinese. We leave you a video here:

In addition, you will be able to access the online campus, where you will find many tools and resources to practice and improve your Chinese, such as podcasts, games, exercises, videos, etc.

Here is a podcast for you to listen to:

Don't hesitate any longer, and visit the Hanyu Chinese School website. There you can find out about all the courses, services and advantages that this school offers you. You can also request a free trial class, without obligation, to see for yourself the quality and effectiveness of their method. Learning Chinese has never been so easy and fun!

If you are interested in languages in general, don't forget to visit Trainlang.com

• What did you think of this article? Was it helpful for you to learn more about Chinese English dictionaries online?
• Are you studying Chinese recently or have you been learning the language for a while? What level are you at and what goals have you set for yourself?
• Which Chinese English dictionary do you use most often and why? What advantages and disadvantages do you find in it?

Leave us your comments, we will be happy to respond to you. You can also share this article with your friends and family who are interested in learning Chinese. 🙌